How Much Does It Cost to Build a Miniature Golf Course?

Opening a miniature golf course can be a rewarding business move. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor in family entertainment centers (FECs), or an existing operator looking to expand, mini golf offers steady foot traffic and strong repeat business potential.

One of the most important steps before you get started is understanding the investment required. In this guide, we’ll break down the average cost to build a miniature golf course, explain the biggest factors that influence expenses, highlight often-overlooked costs, and share smart ways to save.

What factors affect mini golf course construction costs?

Construction costs for mini golf courses can vary significantly depending on your vision, location, and business model. You can generally expect to invest from $150,000 to build a modest outdoor course, or up to $1 million+ for a fully themed, immersive indoor venue.

The good news is that with planning, you can adjust your mini golf investment to better fit your goals, audience, and budget by considering these factors:

Indoor vs. outdoor: Outdoor courses are generally cheaper to build, but indoor venues allow for year-round revenue. Indoor layouts require additional expenses such as air conditioning, flooring, and lighting.
New build or retrofit: Building from scratch typically costs more than repurposing an existing space. Retrofits, however, can bring unique challenges like plumbing or structural limitations.
DIY or contractor-built: Some operators reduce costs with DIY landscaping or props, but professional mini golf designers typically deliver more durable, guest-friendly layouts.
Theming and landscaping: Basic turf and simple obstacles keep costs lower, while immersive environments with animatronics, glow-in-the-dark or night golf lighting, and elaborate water features can significantly increase expenses.
Land costs: Leasing land keeps upfront investment lower, while purchasing provides a valuable long-term asset. Location also plays a big role, with urban land being more expensive than suburban or rural plots.
Number of holes: An 18-hole course is the industry standard, but starting with 9 holes can significantly reduce land and construction costs while still offering a fun guest experience.
Climate considerations: Outdoor venues may need weatherproofing, drainage, or seasonal closures, all of which affect profitability.

How much space do you need for a mini golf course?

The amount of space you need for a mini golf course will depend on whether you’re building indoors or outdoors, and how many holes you want. As a rough guide:

Outdoor courses:

18-hole course: approx. 14,000–22,000 square feet
9-hole course: approx. 8,000–12,000 square feet

Indoor courses:

18-hole course: approx. 5,000–10,000 square feet
9-hole course: approx. 1,500–7,000 square feet

Some urban courses maximize space with multi-level layouts, stacking holes across different floors.

Remember, mini golf is just one part of your venue’s footprint. You’ll also need to plan for:

Check-in and reception areas
Party rooms for group events and birthdays
Food and beverage spaces (on-site café, bar, or vending machines)
Storage for props, equipment, and tech
Parking for your customers travelling to your venue

Since space directly impacts land and construction costs, it’s important to size your course realistically for your market and budget.

Mini golf course cost breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of common mini golf startup costs. These ranges provide a useful benchmark, but keep in mind they are only estimates.

Category	Estimated cost (USD)
Land purchase or lease	$50,000–$300,000+
Course design and construction	$150,000–$500,000
Theming and landscaping	$50,000–$250,000
Flooring and turf	$20,000–$75,000
Lighting & AV	$15,000–$100,000
Interactive obstacles and water features	$10,000–$100,000
Equipment (putters, balls, scorecards, kiosks)	$5,000–$25,000
Permits, inspections, and insurance	Varies by location; be sure to check the specific regulations in your area
Staffing (hiring and training)	$20,000–$60,000
Booking and POS software	Varies depending on provider, features, and whether you choose multiple systems or an all-in-one platform
Branding and launch marketing	$10,000–$50,000
Total estimated range	$300,000–$1,500,000+

Sources:

https://miniaturegolfconstruction.com/miniature-golf-course-design/
https://www.efinancialmodels.com/unlocking-success-understanding-the-cost-to-build-a-mini-golf-course/
https://bplan.ai/blogs/startup-costs/miniature-golf-course-startup-costs
https://turffactorydirect.com/blog/how-to-calculate-the-price-of-mini-golf-course-turf/
https://businessplan-templates.com/blogs/startup-costs/mini-golf-course
https://minigolfcreations.com/mini-golf-construction-costs/

Seeing numbers in the hundreds of thousands (or even millions) can feel daunting. But when you view it as a long-term, high-potential investment, and break the costs into categories, it becomes much easier to plan strategically.

Overlooked and hidden costs

While most operators plan for big-ticket expenses like land, construction, and theming, some smaller costs can be easy to miss. Accounting for these early helps you budget confidently and avoid surprises.

Maintenance: Artificial turf, water features, and decorative elements require ongoing upkeep to keep your venue safe and inviting.
Equipment replacement: Plan to replace broken putters and lost balls regularly.
Insurance and permits: Premiums and inspection costs often increase each year.
Staff training and onboarding: Recruiting and training new staff is an ongoing cost.
Software subscriptions: You’ll need tools for POS, online ticketing, memberships, food and beverage ordering, analytics and reporting, guest feedback, and waivers. All-in-one mini golf software, like ROLLER, combines all these features into a single platform to simplify operations.

Factoring these elements into your financial plan from the beginning can help you avoid surprises and set your mini golf business up for long-term success.

How to save costs with smarter planning

The best way to maximize your investment is to plan strategically. Here are some proven ways to reduce startup costs while still setting your venue up for success:

Start smaller, grow bigger: Launch with a 9-hole course to reduce construction costs, and expand once you’ve established strong demand. When you’re ready to grow your course, you can explore additional mini golf attractions to keep guests coming back for more.
Repurpose props and décor: Buy gently used items or collaborate with local artists for affordable, unique theming.
Partner on food and beverage: Team up with food trucks or local vendors instead of building a full-service kitchen.
Use software to streamline operations: Use self-service kiosks, online bookings, and digital waivers to reduce staffing costs while keeping your guests happy.

Next steps to success

The cost to build a miniature golf course can range from a few hundred thousand dollars to well over a million, depending on your vision and scale. By understanding the average costs, from land and construction to ongoing operations, you can make confident decisions and design a venue built for long-term success.

With smart planning and the right tools, a mini golf business can be an incredibly rewarding investment.

Ready to bring your mini golf course to life? Book a demo to see how ROLLER can help you launch, manage, and grow your business.

Frequently asked questions about miniature golf course costs

How much does it cost to build a miniature golf course?

The average cost to build a miniature golf course can be anywhere from $300,000 to $1.5M+, depending on size, theming, location and whether it’s built indoors or outdoors.

What factors affect the cost of building a mini golf course?

There are many factors that impact the cost of building a mini golf course, including the location, land costs, theming, number of holes, and whether you hire contractors or take a DIY approach to construction.

Is it cheaper to build an indoor or outdoor mini golf course?

Outdoor courses are usually cheaper to build, but indoor courses allow year-round revenue that can offset higher upfront costs.

Can I build a mini golf course on my own land?

It depends on your location. In some places you can build a mini golf course on your own land, but regulations vary. Always check local zoning and permitting requirements before starting construction.

What’s the return on investment (ROI) for a mini golf course?

The ROI for a mini golf course depends on your upfront investment, location, and revenue from tickets, events, food and beverage, and merchandise. For example, if you invest $500,000 and generate $250,000 in annual revenue with $150,000 in expenses, your annual profit is $100,000. That’s a 20% ROI, meaning you could recover your initial investment in around five years. Many operators report payback within around 3-5 years with a well-marketed, well-located course.

How long does it take to build a mini golf course?

Building a mini golf course typically takes 6–12 months, though smaller projects may be completed in as little as six weeks. Timelines depend on size, complexity, and whether it’s indoor, outdoor, new build, or retrofit.

Do I need special permits to build a mini golf course?

Yes. Most regions require building permits, safety inspections, and business insurance. Check with your local regulatory bodies for exact requirements.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as legal advice. Venues should coordinate with the appropriate bodies for specific information about regulations and guidelines.